{"id":13176,"date":"2025-11-04T21:29:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T21:29:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=13176"},"modified":"2025-11-24T14:51:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:51:37","slug":"from-dealership-days-to-independent-success-the-story-of-scs-porsche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/from-dealership-days-to-independent-success-the-story-of-scs-porsche\/","title":{"rendered":"From Dealership Days to Independent Success: The Story of SCS Porsche"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you walk into SCS Porsche<\/strong><\/a>, you don\u2019t get the feeling you\u2019re in just another independent Porsche workshop. There\u2019s an energy in the air \u2014 a quiet confidence that comes from decades of hands-on experience and a team that genuinely loves what they do.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started in this little building on my own,\u201d says Andy Moss<\/strong>, Director of SCS Porsche. \u201cJust me, a toolbox, a trolley jack and a couple of axle stands.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was more than a decade ago. Today, SCS Porsche has grown into one of the South West\u2019s most respected Porsche specialists, known for their meticulous workmanship, factory-trained technicians, and a down-to-earth approach that Porsche owners truly appreciate.<\/p>\n

A Lifetime with Porsche<\/h2>\n

Andy\u2019s story in the automotive world stretches back to the late \u201880s. \u201cI started as an apprentice at a VW specialist,\u201d he recalls. \u201cWe used to service 911s for a local customer, and that\u2019s where my interest in Porsche really started.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 1987, he joined the Porsche Centre Exeter<\/strong>, helping set up the new workshop from scratch. \u201cI unpacked everything, set up all the bays, and was there for 11 years,\u201d Andy says. \u201cBut eventually, it became too focused on the money and not on the service \u2014 and that\u2019s when I decided to do things my own way.\u201d<\/p>\n

That decision led to the birth of SCS Porsche \u2014 a place where quality and transparency would always come before profit. \u201cWe wanted to look after customers properly,\u201d Andy explains. \u201cTo treat their cars as if they were our own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Built on Experience, Backed by Training<\/h2>\n

One of the key things that sets SCS Porsche<\/strong> apart is its depth of experience. \u201cWe\u2019re not self-taught,\u201d says Andy proudly. \u201cWe\u2019re Porsche-trained. I did around 50 factory training courses over the years, and everyone here has similar experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

That expertise runs through the whole team. \u201cBetween us, we\u2019ve got decades of factory training \u2014 from 1987 right up to 2021,\u201d Andy says. \u201cSo when you bring your car here, you\u2019re not paying us to learn how to fix it. We already know how.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the early air-cooled 911s to modern hybrids, the workshop handles everything. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing more electrified cars now,\u201d he says, \u201cbut honestly, there\u2019s still so much petrol work \u2014 we\u2019re busier than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Service You Can Trust<\/h2>\n

While SCS Porsche handles everything from engine rebuilds<\/strong> to bespoke restoration projects<\/strong>, their bread and butter remains servicing and repair<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always believed in fixed-price servicing,\u201d Andy explains. \u201cPorsche owners want to know what their car\u2019s going to cost them over the next few years, so we make it transparent \u2014 everything\u2019s listed on our website.\u201d<\/p>\n

That transparency extends to how each car is handled. \u201cWe tailor the service depending on the customer and the car,\u201d he says. \u201cWe might just do an oil change this year, then add another mid-year if it\u2019s needed. The idea is to look after it properly \u2014 as if it were our own.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to parts, SCS Porsche chooses carefully. \u201cFor cars under warranty, we use genuine parts,\u201d says Andy. \u201cOtherwise, Design911<\/strong> is our first port of call. You offer a choice of quality levels \u2014 from standard to fully track-ready \u2014 and that flexibility is a huge benefit for us and our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everything Under One Roof<\/h2>\n

Walking through the workshop, it\u2019s easy to see how much SCS Porsche has evolved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got three two-post lifts, a four-poster for alignment, corner weight gauges for GT cars, and full air-con equipment,\u201d Andy says. \u201cWe try to do as much as we can in-house to keep the quality consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

That attention to detail even extends to how they handle paint and bodywork. \u201cWe don\u2019t do bodywork here, but we\u2019ve got brilliant local partners for that,\u201d he adds. \u201cWe\u2019ll strip the cars ourselves, send them out, then refit everything so we can control the quality of the final job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team also runs a second garage nearby \u2014 SCS Motors<\/strong> \u2014 where they look after customers\u2019 other cars. \u201cA lot of Porsche owners have an AMG or an M-car sitting next to it,\u201d Andy laughs. \u201cBut our customers don\u2019t like seeing non-Porsches in this workshop, so we keep those separate.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Ride Out in the 987 Black Edition Boxster<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Andy offered to take us out in one of the workshop\u2019s cars \u2014 a Porsche 987 Boxster<\/strong> that\u2019s been subtly upgraded to show customers what SCS Porsche can do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s mine,\u201d Andy says as we walk over. \u201cWe\u2019ve fitted a switchable sports exhaust, slightly stiffer springs \u2014 about ten mil lower \u2014 and a set of decent suspension arms. It\u2019s not overdone; just sharper and more responsive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Out on the road, the difference is clear. The car feels alive but never harsh \u2014 that perfect balance between precision and comfort that Porsche owners always chase. \u201cYou can drive it in traffic or take it on track,\u201d Andy says over the sound of the flat-six behind us. \u201cIt\u2019s compliant, but it\u2019s got that edge when you want it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s right. From the passenger seat, you can feel how settled the car is \u2014 composed over bumps, eager through corners, and with an exhaust note that brings a grin to your face without droning.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a car here that shows what we do,\u201d Andy adds. \u201cIf someone\u2019s thinking about a suspension upgrade or exhaust system, it\u2019s easier to show them than tell them. They can sit in it, hear it, and see the quality of the work for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back at the workshop, as the Boxster ticks quietly while cooling down, it\u2019s hard not to be impressed. It\u2019s the perfect example of SCS Porsche\u2019s philosophy \u2014 small, well-judged changes that make a car more rewarding to drive without losing what makes it special in the first place.<\/p>\n

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Restorations, Rebuilds and Real Craftsmanship<\/h2>\n

Among the projects currently in progress is a striking flat-nose 911<\/strong>, a Carrera 3.2 engine rebuild<\/strong>, and a replica model<\/strong>being transformed with upgraded suspension, brakes and poly-bushed arms.<\/p>\n

Andy points to one of the cars in the corner. \u201cThat one\u2019s running KW suspension from Design911,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a customer build where we\u2019re improving on what the factory did \u2014 tightening up the chassis, giving it proper handling without losing the character.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a balance that defines their philosophy: enhance, don\u2019t overdo. \u201cWe love upgrades that make a Porsche better to drive, not harsher,\u201d Andy says. \u201cA car that feels great on a B-road and can still handle a track day \u2014 that\u2019s what we aim for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Honest Advice and Long-Term Relationships<\/h2>\n

Unlike some workshops that push unnecessary work, SCS Porsche takes a refreshingly honest approach. \u201cWe\u2019re not into the hard sell,\u201d Andy says. \u201cWe\u2019re into long-term relationships. We\u2019d rather see you regularly for the right reasons \u2014 keeping your car reliable and enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n

That trust has helped them build a loyal customer base. \u201cWe\u2019ve got around a thousand cars on our books,\u201d Andy mentions. \u201cSome people drop off, new ones come in, but it\u2019s steady. And a lot of our trade contacts now just send cars straight to us to sort out \u2014 they know we\u2019ll do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Partnership That Works<\/h2>\n

The partnership between SCS Porsche<\/strong> and Design911<\/strong><\/a> has been going strong for over a decade. \u201cI checked earlier,\u201d Andy laughs. \u201cIt\u2019s been about 11 years now. Your overnight delivery is faster than the main dealer ever was. We usually have the parts by 10am, which is brilliant when you\u2019re running a busy workshop.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds: \u201cAnd you answer the phone – that makes a big difference. You can tell it\u2019s your passion too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A Passion That Never Fades<\/h2>\n

For Andy, Porsche isn\u2019t just a business \u2014 it\u2019s been a lifelong fascination. \u201cMy first toy car as a kid was a Martini 911,\u201d he smiles. \u201cThere\u2019s just something about them \u2014 no other car drives like a Porsche.\u201d<\/p>\n

That same passion drives the entire team at SCS Porsche today. From classic restorations to everyday servicing, every job is handled with care, pride and genuine enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

As Andy puts it, \u201cWe were always taught to look after cars properly \u2014 do an honest job, and the rest takes care of itself. That\u2019s how we\u2019ve always worked, and that\u2019s how we\u2019ll keep doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n